That Bubbly Stuff

We have all heard it before, but it is true. What we put on our skin is just as important as what we eat! But have you ever noticed how rare it is that we actually take that advice on. We shrug off the thought that these store bought products could actually be harmful, even dangerous. Unfortunately, we are rarely taught about the effects of harmful chemicals found in today's everyday products, and it is so common that young teenagers that are told of these dangers associate the meaning of natural with 'hippies' and think that it's not important. But it is.

The most commonly used chemicals seen in everyday skin care products is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and it's close relative sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). These surfactants, or foaming agents are commonly used in many shampoo's, soaps, detergents and toothpastes, but not many people know of their actual dangers.

SLS is used in many clinical studies, which I'm sure gives you the immediate sense that it must be okay to use, but the sole purpose of using SLS in clinical studies is to cause skin irritation. So why would they use it in skin products? Because it adds that beautiful foam in all our products and it's CHEAP! The sodium lauryl sulfate found in our soaps is exactly the same as that found in car washes and even garages, where it is used to degrease car engines. In the same ways that SLS dissolves the grease in car engines, it also dissolves the oils on your skin. This is one of the main causes of that awful dry feeling you get after using even a moisturiser that has SLS within it's ingredients.

A report published in the Journal of the American College of Toxicology in 1983 showed that a concentration as low as 0.5% could cause skin irritation and 10-30% caused skin corrosion and severe irritation. Now I will tell you that most soaps have a concentration of up to 30% of sodium lauryl sulfate, which has been called highly irritating and even dangerous. 

Not only is this external irritation dangerous, but SLS is also absorbed into the body. When it has been absorbed, one of the main effects of sodium lauryl sulfate is to mimic the activity of the hormone, Oestrogen. This has many health implication including a variety of problems ranging from PMS and menopausal symptoms to male infertility. Absorbed SLS has also been associated with the casue of female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), a close relative of SLS, is somewhat less irritating to the skin but cannot be metabolised by the liver, so its effects are much longer-lasting, making it just as detrimental to your well being.

Okay, enough of the horror stories. I am not telling you this to scare you, rather to make you aware of what you have been putting on your skin. Even I have used these products, but that is how we learn. Now, after all my skin dramas and allergies, I can sit back and tell you with personal experience why it is not in your best interest to use these chemicals on your skin. It is so important and easy to find and even make your own skin care products that contain none of these nasties. I am here to show and guide you into your new and healthy skin life. You can find my products at http://www.facebook.com/thesixthscent and you can email me at thesixthscentskincare@gmail.com for any personal enquiries you have about anything.

The Sixth Scent.